Elizabeth Fraser
Photo Credit: Patrick Ford/Redferns
wiki:
Elizabeth Davidson Fraser (b. 8/29/63) is a Scottish singer who was born and grew up in Grangemouth. She described it as “a dark and stifling industrial town,” Her mother worked in a factory. She was the youngest of six children. During her teenage years, she developed eating disorders and became bulimic. Fraser said she went through incest; then she was forced to leave the family house at 16 for having a punk look. Music was important and represented an escape; at that time Fraser had portraits of her heroes like Siouxsie Sioux tattooed on her arms.
Elizabeth was the vocalist for the band Cocteau Twins who achieved success during the mid-1980s to 1997, when they disbanded. During her time with them, she also did collaborations with others. She began a solo career in 1997. Her vocal ability led to her being dubbed as “the voice of God” and “the voice from another world” by The Telegraph. Fraser, and Cocteau Twins, were said to be “loved” by artist Madonna, and Prince wished to sign the band to his record label. Fraser credits Nina Simone as a major influence on her career, songwriting and recording.
Official website here
Tao Talk 
It took me a while to really get into the Cocteau Twins. I had trouble understanding Liz Fraser’s voice to be honest. I soon realised how unique it was and ended up buying five of their albums over the years. My favourite being; ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’.
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Good to know on which album to buy if I decide to buy one by them. I do love the sound of her voice, and it looks like it’s still that good.
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What a terrible childhood this woman went through. Her voice is incredibly high and really cool. I do remember The Cocteau Twins. I like the Underwater song.
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Yes, she did. Many MANY women (and men) have been through what she went through, but the patriarchy does everything in its power to hush it up. Now that we can communicate freely and globally with each other in places like this blog, we can see we are not alone.
I remember the name of the band but can’t recall any of their songs for some reason :(
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Yea I’m not good either with 80s bands…they all came out in bunches but I do remember them.
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While I heard the name Cocteau Twins before, Elisabeth Fraser is an entirely new name for me. My goodness, what a horrific childhood she had! It sounds like a near-miracle she got out of her home and somehow made it. Her voice is pretty compelling. It doesn’t look like she has released any new music since 1996, the final Cocteau Twins album. I guess she’s living a private and hopefully peaceful life.
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Well, she did feature on that song I included 5 years ago, so she is still performing, even if not as a solo artist.
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Christian, I just tried to access the website I posted and it has been suspended! I have checked every link as I write these up and it must have just been taken down. I found this good link, which is a section of The Cocteau Twins. It’s shows her recent activity.
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https://cocteautwins.com/elizabeth-fraser.html
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Cool. In Sun’s Signature’s “Underwater”, her vocals still sound amazing – pretty much unchanged!
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i.e. no whisky or smoke to degrade her pipes :)
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Oh, my… another one of my faves, Li! Elizabeth is such an extraordinary vocalist, well deserving of the titles that have been given to her for her singing. The quote you used is spot on, as I believe her singing has often been critiqued for the difficulty in making out her words clearly, so now we know why!
Do you know the cover of Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren” she sang with Cocteau Twins for the This Mortal Coil project? It’s dreamy and ethereal, a longtime favourite. I shared it a few years ago. I’ve never been bothered with figuring out the words, as the singing melds with the lush sonic landscape the collective created in that song. https://songoftheday.ca/2020/06/23/song-to-the-siren/
Thank you for sharing “The Moon Shines Bright” which I hadn’t heard before. “Underwater” is another superb track I’ve featured. It’s so gorgeous.
I did not know about her horrific childhood/youth and abuse she suffered; all the more miraculous is the talent she developed. Another excellent post in the series, thank you.
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Steve, with some singers it isn’t as important to understand the words as much as to understand the tone or the way they use their voices. I feel the same way about Loreena McKennitt. Thom Yorke is another one. We can always look up the lyrics ;)
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Well said, Li! The more I focus on lyrics, the more I realize they sometimes are just a part of what the song “means.”
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The Cocteau Twins were kind of a part of background music for that era for me–I can’t recall any particular song making an impact, but they had a presence. I’m so glad Elizabeth was able to find her way out of those horrible beginnings to a good life in music. Those videos are great, each in their own way. I love the interaction between her and Sam–their voices are so different but blend beautifully. (K)
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Cool that they bring an era back to you. Yes on Elizabeth going on to thrive. I wondered about where it said why she was kicked out of the house. Guessing it had more to do with the mother choosing the abuser over her child, which happens more than anyone would like to acknowledge. About the Sam duet, I agree. That video was a lucky find.
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I’ve heard the name Cocteau Twins but couldn’t tell you anything I’ve heard from them. “Sun’s Signature” is hauntingly beautiful. The second one – also great! Thanks for a great ten minutes.
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Steve, you are very welcome.
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